Jun
19
Germany Knocks Out Portugal
Filed Under Euro 2008 | Leave a Comment
Wow, what a win! Germany knocked out one of the Euro 2008 favorites, Portugal, with great play from the onset. The team struck early and fast with two goals within five minutes (on the 22nd and 26th minutes.) Portugal played hard to come back from the 2-0 deficit, but their effort was to no avail. Michael Ballack would hit a third goal for Germany and that would be enough for the win.
Portugal made many more attacks than their counterparts, with 10 shots on goal (21 overall) compared to only 5 by Germany (with 10 overall.) Germany just put together a solid effort all the way from the goalkeeper to the goal scorers. Schweinsteiger had an especially good performance, with a goal and two assists, something that even Christiano Ronaldo couldn’t top today. After a shaky start in the tournament and a quarterfinal berth late in the initial games, Germany was not expected to do this well, especially against potent Portugal. Yet, they did it, and they now find themselves in the Euro 2008 semi-finals while Portugal and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will disappointingly go home. They will soon part ways as his 5-year contract ends and he leaves for his new team, Chelsea.